HOMEPAGE (INTRODUCTION)

          The official name for the UK is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It includes the countries England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It has an estimated population of 62 348 447 people over a total area of 243 073 km2. The UK is located off the coast of France in Western Europe. England, Scotland and Wales all share the same island, and Northern Ireland is part of the island that is also home to the Republic of Ireland. The UK is between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, meaning fishing and other water-related industries are a large part of its economy. Other main industries include coal, natural gas, oil, consumer goods and agriculture like cereals, oilseed, potatoes, cattle and sheep. The capital city of the UK is London, which is also its leading capital in population. The official language if English, but recognized regional languages include Irish, Ulster Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Scots, Welsh and Cornish. The government is a constitutional monarchy with two legislative houses (House of Lords and House of Commons), with Queen Elizabeth II as the monarch and David Cameron as the current Prime Minister. The GDP per capita is $35 082, and the currency is the pound sterling (£). (Britannica, CIA, Wikipedia)